Mashed green lentils look like soil – so let’s make the best of it! That is to say, a fake flower pot.

Lentil Salad & Edible Flower Garnishment (2 servings)

100g green lentils

200ml cold water

1 small onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, mashed

2 Tbs balsamic vinegar

2 Tbs olive oil

1 tsp soy sauce

pepper

edible blossoms (for example daisies), chives and basil

optional: bacon, sweet corn, carrots, celery etc.

Rinse and drain the lentils.

Add the lentils to a cooking pot and pour in the water. Do not add any salt. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for about 25 minutes. It is okay if the lentils are slightly overcooked.

In a pan, sauté the onion and the garlic in 1 Tbs of the olive oil until brown.

Add the lentils to the pan and stir for a few minutes.

Transfer everything into a bowl and mash it a bit with a fork. While still warm, mix in balsamic vinegar, remaining olive oil, soy sauce and pepper.

When the salad has cooled down, fill it into the dish you would like to serve. Since this is a very basic lentil salad, I suggest adding some other ingredients such as bacon and vegetables. You can “hide” them at the bottom of the serving dish and the cover them with the basic lentil mixture.

Arrange blossoms, chives and basil. You might have to use a tooth pick. Stick it into the lentil salad. Enjoy!